Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-01-29

nominated for 1t, and was the first comptrouer
chosen by the people While holding that
Office he was nominated for vice president on
the ticket headed by Gen. Zachary Taylor
Both were elected in 1873, owing to the split
in the Democratic party by the Free Soil
movement Mr. Fillmore entered upon the
duties of his new office on the 4th of March.
lSig and by the death Of President Taylor IN
July, 1850 became president of the United
States Here may mention curious coin
cidence When Taylor succeeded Harrison IN
lSIl Mr.. Fillmore was III congress. debs'e
arose over Tyler's title; whether he should lie
called acting president upon the death OF
president, or what not. 1t was strongly
argued that he could not COnstltutiOnally
become president; that there must he dis
tinction Finally the opinion prevailed that
he should hold the same title Rs if elected TO
the office Mr. Fillmore took strong ground in
support Of this view little dreaming that he
would I've the second TO he promoted TO the
presidency in this way.
The events of his administration are parts
of the history Of the country. After his re
tirement from office in March. 1853, Mr.. Fill
more made an extended European trip, and
had not returned in lSI-the year OF the Bu-
chanan-Fremnnt camIaign-when be was
notified that he had been nominated for
president by the American Know Nothing
party Maryland was the only state of the
Union 10 give him her electoral votes.
Ii is not polite in these DAYS to talk of
Know NothingiSrn. Millard Fillmore was a
Whig. and had little confidence III his election
by the American party. When his Buffalo
friends gave MIN n sereuade upon his return
from Europe. he made brief speech, accept
ing the nomination These words" shouted
a friend from below. will make you presi-
dent Of the United States" The answer-"l
hope So, sir. most sincerely"-was made the
campaign cry of the Democrats and Free
Soilers of Buffalo.
As ex-rresident Mr.. Fillmore contracted
sec Dnd marriage, his choice being the
wealthy widow Of one of the opposition candi-
dat .'~sn holders The contract OF the
ma as drawn up by Nathan 4. Hall,
wh ex-president's personal friend
It : course, simply to the second
Mrs. = personal estate.
Aft termination Of the presidential
contest J.. Fillmore lived here in retirement.
and was thruuyhly esteemed by citizens re-
gardless Of party. He died in 1874 and was
buried at Fort Lawn cemetery. He was Of
commanding presence, and, as one of his
friends Described him to me recently, man
few persons could pass on the street withou.
turning to look back at There was that
about his gentle dignity that secured respect
from unexpected sources, and few citizens
met him out for morning walk who did not
lift their hats as a natural token Of Difference
He was notwithstanding his reserve, always
ready TO take part i'll any public event.
The Fillmore mansion was one Of the hand
soonest of palatial residences OF Niagara
square 1t is now known as the Fillmore,
but has degenerated to fashionable board
ing house The landladies are sisters Of a
celebrated turtle of Coney island. Mrs
Fillmore died few years ago, making liberal
beauests to the Buffalo Fine Arts academy,
the Buffalo Historical society, and local
charities Her private library was given in
tart to the Historical society. Every volume
contains her autograph. One of the park ap-
pruaches, Fillmore avenue, was named i'll
honor of the departed eN-president, and the
city is taking good care OF II, having during
the last season paved it with asphalt at cost
of Ss5.OlO.
Mr. Fillmore was not considered brilliant
man; but he was consi cred deep, sound and
logical. One of his chief local political OPP
ponents was a well known local character Of
that day, whom | will cali Jones. II is re-
lated that their greatest word duel .ook place
in n church Mt Abbott's Corners, being hotly
contested for six hours. DIR. l.. p Dayton,
who is personal friend of the present occu-
pant OF the White House, heard 1t, and his
idea was that Jones, on account OF his re-
markable brilliancy, got the better of the
argument DIR. Dayton told me a story about
Jones which should be preserved. In the
early DAYS BuffalO's largest hall was the old
court house on Lafayette square A noted
temperance orator from Albany was adver-
tised 10 address mass meeting in the after
noon, but failed to arrive. The only
man the committee could think Of
who was equal 10 the emergency
was this same Jones. They found him in his
office lying on couch, engaged in rubbing
out of his head the effects of the previous
nights hilarity. When the case was explained
be poured out and swallowed glass of
brandy, and, leaning on the arms of his
friends, made his way to the hall For the
first hour he dared not trust himself TO loose
his grasp on the speakers table. But such
was the power Of his eloquence that after he
had done speaking / go persons signed the
pledge II Is not related whether the speaker
signed or not.
The late ex-presidents son, Millard P. Fill
more, resides in Buffalo, and belongs to the
Tiff House Bachelors club. President Cleve-
land and Cousin Ben Folsom were both mem
bers of this club, and neither ever comes to
Buffalo that he does not renew the old asso-
Citations connected Herewith. Powers Fill